Unfaithful: Web Of Betrayal

“Ready?” Declan asked before opening the car door.

She responded with a simple smile. She wasn’t really ready, not mentally anyway. They were invited to a party at Brian Murphy’s house which came as a surprise because Roman never mentioned it to her. It was his 28th birthday. But then again, the last time she saw him was at his studio that morning; she didn’t give him a chance to say anything else after she walked away.

That was a few days ago, and they didn’t have any contact since then. Not even about work. She thought it was better to let it cool off before they saw each other again, never expecting that the next time they would meet was at his birthday party.

Brian wanted to celebrate it because it’s been ten years since he held a party for his youngest son. It was more of welcoming him back to the family rather than celebrating his birthday.

“Is Elizabeth going to be there?” Olivia asked of Brian’s ex-wife, Roman’s mother.

Declan scoffed, “Pfft … I highly doubt it … that would be awkward with Abbey being the hostess, but I hear Roman’s girlfriend is going to be there … Brian had been fussing about him not having a girlfriend for so long … not a steady one, anyway.”

She raised her brows, “Oh … ”

“A good-looking guy like him, he probably has dozens of girls lining up around him … why have just one?” he chuckled.

She glanced at him; for a moment there, it felt like he was expressing his own feelings about the matter.

“I mean … he’s an artist, to say the least, they’re very promiscuous, and … 28 is just a kid. What did we know when we were that age? Compare to now? About relationship and marriage most of all,” he straightened his tie as they approached Brian Murphy’s mansion.

“Hmm … it depends on the person, I guess; some people are very mature for their age,” she commented. “Some people think 30 is old … which makes us ancient,” she laughed lightly.

Declan held her hand, “That would make Brian Murphy a mummy … and he still has no clue about marriage.” They laughed.

A girlfriend. Maybe that’s why Roman never mentioned this party. Why hadn’t she thought about that? Of course, he has a girlfriend, and as Declan nicely put it, he probably has more than just one.

Gaby said she saw him with a girl on his apartment balcony, a different one every time. When they first met, Olivia had seen him with at least two other girls on the boat. She pinched the bridge of her nose; maybe Roman was not so truthful about his feelings for her after all. She let out a silent sigh before stepping out of the car, put on a wide smile as she looped her arm around Declan’s, and walked into Brian’s house, which looked more like a palace.

“Welcome … welcome to my humble home,” Brian greeted them with open arms and his shiny new white teeth. He looked like he had done something with his face, too, a Botox, probably.

Abbey smiled more confidently than the last time they saw each other; she seemed to be getting used to being Brian’s better half, standing beside him with the poise and elegance of a billionaire’s wife. All dressed in designer clothes, jewelry from head to toe, perfect hair, and make-up, embodying what a woman of her stature should look like. She reminded Olivia of herself when she transformed into Declan Hunt’s wife, symbolizing her husband’s success.

“You look stunning as always,” Abbey said to her with a welcoming embrace and a cheek-to-cheek. “Please … come in. Everything is ready; almost everyone is here.”

“Thank you, you look amazing yourself,” Olivia returned the compliment. They walked side by side as they separated from their husbands, who had already walked in front of them.

Their house resembled Declan’s parents’ home, an old money mansion where every detail was measured with precision, decorated with only the finest things from all over the world. To think that Roman had grown up in that house and left it when he was a teenager brought her back to what Kelly had said to her about the scandal. They never found the time to go over that.

Her mouth was replying to Abbey’s small talk, her mind was thinking about how much she didn’t know about Roman, and her eyes were scanning the place for that bright blue eyes, charming smile, dark brown wavy hair, and the girl he was bringing home to his parents. Her heart beats faster.

“Olivia, darling … how is everything going with my son?” Brian interrupted her thoughts.

She was taken aback for a moment. Then she realized he was asking about their work together, “Oh … everything’s fine … we have a few projects together at the moment actually … things are pretty busy, we’re actually doing the interior for his upcoming exhibition.”

“That’s wonderful … sounds like an expansion already. You know Declan is such a lucky man,” he nudged Declan’s arm with his elbow. “How often can you find a wife who’s not only a dazzling beauty but a brilliant businesswoman as well,” he laughed, leaving Abbey looking sour at her husband’s insinuation.

Declan gleamed with pride like he always does when somebody complimented his wife, “She might have gotten that from me, you know? It rubs on you when you’re married for 15 years,” he was grinning, “But no … really … she is a multi-talented woman, you can’t be more right … I’m very lucky indeed.” Declan glanced at his wife, to which she responded with a smile.

“You know what they say when you’re a power couple like that … you should have a lot of kids,” Brian cackled in a sharp voice.

Olivia always feels like the topic of children is distasteful, especially after Declan’s affair. But she kept a friendly face; it was something they couldn’t avoid in a social setting.

“You know, I was your age when we had Roman … I don’t know why people fuss about being too late to have kids, hell … Abbey is pregnant right now,” he rubbed his wife’s flat tummy, “You can’t see it now … but it will show, not too bad for an old timer, huh?” he winked an eye at Declan.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Everyone in that circle felt a bit awkward except for Brian, who was practically bragging about how he could impregnate his young wife at his age. Olivia tightened her clutch around Declan’s arm; she didn’t realize she was doing it. Hearing the news of someone getting pregnant still gives her anxiety, especially a newlywed like Brian and Abbey.

“Wow, congratulations, that’s wonderful news, … we have been taking a break from trying for some time now, although I am considering trying again with In Vitro,” Declan replied.

Olivia’s eyes widened; it was the first time she heard of his plan, “What?” she half whispered in Declan’s ear.

“You mean you’ve never tried In Vitro all these years?” Brian was surprised.

“No, Olivia thought it was a pretty invasive procedure, and we were worried that we may get twins or triplets … you know,” he chuckled nervously, “But I think it’s worth considering now … it would be nice to have triplets and not have to worry about getting pregnant ever again,” Declan patted his wife’s hand.

Olivia glared at him. By this time, she felt left out of his elaborate plan of having a triplet without even consulting the matter with her; on top of that, he was discussing it with his business partner rather than talking about it with her beforehand.

“That’s practicality … exactly what I like about you, Declan; let’s cheers to that … for triplets!” Brian raised his glass and clank it with Declan’s.

Before Olivia could say anything.

“Who’s having triplets?”

Roman’s voice came from behind them. He had a girl clung to his arm, a beautiful, voluptuous brunette who was looking at him with admiring eyes.

“Roman … my boy … Declan was just telling us about his plan to have triplets … can’t say the same for us,” Brian wrapped his arm around Abbey’s waist, “Abbey and I are expecting. You won’t be the youngest in the family soon,” he sipped on his drink.

The look on Roman’s face says it all; he pauses for a moment, “Wow … that’s a lot of news to take in … congratulations,” he meant to say it to his dad, but his eyes were pinned on Olivia.

“Thank you … now when do we get to receive news from you, son? Who’s the lovely young lady? Would you care to introduce us?” Brian said.

Roman cleared his throat, “Yes, absolutely,” he looked at the girl who was blushing in his arm, “Everyone … this is my date, Selma Curtis.”